How To Build Lasting Relationships

Part 1 of 3

3 John 1:1-8

Tonight we are going to begin a miniseries on the topic, “How To Build Lasting Relationships” based upon the book of Third John.  The greatest things in life are not things- they are relationships.

Third John is the shortest of all the New Testament books in the original Greek language and focuses on three men.  They form a natural outline for Third John.

In verses 1-8 it talks about Gaius on the topic of COMMENDATION.  How would you like it if your parents had named you “Gaius?”  What a name!  In verses 9-11 it talks about Diotrophies and the topic is CONFRONTATION.  Then in verses 12-14 it talks about Demetrius and the subject under consideration is COMMUNICATION.

Within the Body of Christ there are three kinds of members.  Some are like wheel barrows- only useful when they are being pushed.  Others are like canoes- they sometimes need to be paddled.  Then others are like kites- if you don’t keep them on a string they will fly away.  Others are like kittens- they are contented only when they are petted.  Then there are those who are like footballs- you can’t tell which way they are going to bounce next.  Lastly, some church members are like trailers- they always have to be pulled along.

How do you get along with so many different people in the church?  How do you build lasting relationships with them?  Here in 3 John 1-8 John describes four ways to do this.